Unification Church executives indicted for illegal political donations

Nine former and current executives of the Unification Church have been indicted for illegally donating approximately $188 million in church funds to 132 politicians across party lines. The joint investigation team for corruption between religion and politics announced on August 11 that they indicted three individuals, including former Unification Church World Headquarters head Yoon Young-ho, former World Peace Parliamentarian Union president Song Kwang-seok, and former Universal Peace Federation president Lee A-moo, on charges of violating the Political Funds Act and embezzlement.

Six other executives, including district leaders within the Unification Church, were summarily indicted on similar charges for their partial involvement in the crimes. They are accused of mobilizing Unification Church organizations nationwide between September 2019 and January 2023 to illegally donate a total of approximately 218 million won (about $188 million) to 132 politicians, including members of the National Assembly, using church funds.

The investigation team believes the Unification Church provided political funds through the personal accounts of church officials to expand its religious influence by having numerous politicians attend events organized by the church. However, evidence directly implicating Unification Church President Han Hak-ja and former Secretary-General Jung Won-ju was insufficient, leading to the closure of their investigations and the return of records.

Prosecutors decided not to indict the 132 politicians, judging that they were unaware the funds received through bank transfers were specifically intended donations from the Unification Church organization. A representative from the investigation team stated, "We investigated all the lawmakers involved, but we concluded they had no awareness that the money came from the Unification Church."

The investigation team conducted searches and seizures at 24 locations, including the Unification Church's Cheonjeong Palace, traced approximately 480 financial accounts, and interviewed 82 individuals related to the case.

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We investigated all the lawmakers involved, but we concluded they had no awareness that the money came from the Unification Church.